Like to doodle as you daydream? Harbouring a hidden prowess with a paintbrush that the world needs to see? Whether you’ve been inspired by the Kingdom’s inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and have aspirations to be Riyadh’s next big name or you simply enjoy the fun of covering a canvas in colour, there is an easel (or plate) with your name on. It’s time to get to class.
Alshahla Portable Studio
For Alshahla Bait Almal, founder of the Al Shahla Portable Studio, “art is about the journey rather than the destination” and she’s made it her mission to ensure that anyone can “explore who they are through painting and share the beauty of their unique identity with the world.” Popping up in different locations across the city, Al Shahla’s workshops each have a different theme and are designed to help you “learn new painting techniques while engaging with like-minded people in a magical atmosphere,” said Bait Almal.
But if being under the watchful gaze of others while you create your masterpiece – despite all the support on offer – makes you feel as wobbly as an easel on uneven ground, never fear. You can paint together with friends and family at a workshop hosted in the comfort
of your very own home. Time for a painting party, anyone?
From SAR150 (including materials). 90 minutes. Check Instagram for class dates or to book a class at home. instagram.com/lets.paint.together, alshahlaastudio.com (050 005 0564).
Enchanted Art Center
If you feel the stress of the day melt away as soon as you pick up a paint brush, you’re going to feel right at home at the Enchanted Art Center. Founded by sisters Amani and Fatma Al Tamimi, this isn’t just a place where you can get your head around the fundamentals of drawing and art theory and dabble in different colour techniques. “We also emphasise the importance of somatic wellness and mind-body connection, to unleash one’s creativity and for the conscious mind to tap into the subconscious,” says Amani. So far, so zen. But if your technique is preventing you from reaching your happy place, Fatma is ready to help. Book a one-to-one chat, and she’ll look at your artwork with a fresh perspective and provide you with the reassurance and tips you need to pull off
a painting Picasso would be proud of.
From SAR250. Women’s classes every Sun, 5pm-7pm and Wed 11am-2pm. Mixed classes every Mon 5pm-7pm. Free drawing sessions (SAR150) are usually held Thu 5pm-7pm. Al-Thumamah Valley St, Al Olaya, instagram.com/studioenchanted.
Nana’s Porcelain Art
Of course, canvas isn’t the only medium you can go all Jackson Pollock on. Plates, mugs, and even sinks have gone from functional to fabulous in the hands of porcelain artist Nana Horstink, who shares her incredible talents with others during the workshops she runs from her home studio. With a passion for realism and portraiture, as well as for painting animals (check out her Insta feed and tell us you’re not convinced those big cats aren’t about to jump out at you), Horstink ensures you can get straight down to business by first sketching a scene and firing the porcelain ahead of the class. Clever. This allows you to focus on the application techniques and brush stroke under the watchful eye of Horstink, whose love of teaching is fuelled by a desire to help others unlock their talents. “I didn’t know I could paint until I was about 25,” says Horstink. “And for me, teaching is sharing. It’s about giving others the opportunity to discover if painting is for them. Because you never know until you try.”
SAR450 (including materials). 4 Jan, 10am to 2pm. For ladies. Classes held regularly, DM for dates. instagram.com/nanasporcelainart.
Synergy Art Hub
Ever looked at your coffee and thought it would be perfect to paint with? If the answer is yes, pay Synergy Art Hub a visit. This collective of female talent from around the world is led by Saudi artist Alia AlDiqis, and draws on the strengths of its portfolio of artists to provide you with a brilliant array of workshops. This month for example, you can Paint Your Emotions, hone your palette knife skills and perfect your pastels and watercolours. You can even get busy using recycled materials to create an artwork worthy of the Ithra Prize (perhaps).
From SAR250. Office 421, 2nd floor, Tower 4, Al Mousa Complex, Al OIaya. Check Instagram for dates and DM to book, instagram.com/synergy_art_hub (055 030 1103).
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